_Phainoptila_, as noted above, has no great amount of flaring in the antorbital region. When more specimens of _Phainoptila_ are examined, the base of the bill probably will be found to flare more in some individuals than in others; this would be expected if we may judge by the data on _Phainopepla_. The premaxilla and maxilla of _Phainoptila_ are similar to the same bones in _Dulus_, and there is a well-marked ridge on the tomium (possibly for cutting flower parts). In _Phainoptila_, the palatines are narrower than in any other genus of the family and abut the lacrimals. The entire skull appears to be modified along different lines from those of the skull of _Dulus_; the skull of _Phainoptila_ seems to be modified for a frugivorous rather than an insectivorous diet. The skull of _Phainoptila_ probably is more nearly similar to the ancestral skull than is that of any other living species in the family. The wide gape characteristic of some members of the family is undoubtedly a modification for aiding in the capture of insects, and _Phainoptila_ has progressed less in this direction than have other species in the family. The mandibles vary somewhat in the shape and proportionate size of the bones. The mandible is proportionately, as well as actually, highest in _Dulus_. The medial condyle varies to some extent, being slightly flattened mediad in _Bombycilla_, and less so in the other genera. The mandible of _Bombycilla_ narrows to the symphysis much more gradually than it does in the other genera. The antorbital plate is large and divides the orbital chamber from the nasal chamber. The small lacrimal bone anterior to the plate articulates with the maxilla and the premaxilla. Shufeldt (1889) states that the free lacrimal ossicle might be of some taxonomic importance in the passerines, since it is found in the generalized Corvids and in nestling Turdids. I find it well developed and identical, with a double articulation and free ends, in all the Bombycillids. There is no significant variability in the family, and this is more evidence of close taxonomic relationship between the members of the family. The size of the crania is somewhat variable, although the differences seem to be primarily those of proportion. Ptilogonatinae have long crania, whereas the crania of the Bombycillinae and Dulinae are shorter but deeper. I regard the longer cranium as primitive, and it is longest in _Phainoptila_. In order of decreasing relative length of the cranium, _Phainoptila_ is followed by _Ptilogonys caudatus_, _P. cinereus_, and _Phainopepla_. _Bombycilla garrula_ has the deepest cranium in the family.